Statistics | Mini Lesson
Students will learn how computers can help collect, organize, and display data. In this mini lesson, students will gather class information, create a simple tally chart, and read a basic bar graph to answer questions about the data.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| data | Information collected about people, objects, or events. |
| tally chart | A chart used to count data with tally marks. |
| bar graph | A graph that shows data using bars of different lengths. |
| survey | A set of questions used to collect data. |
| compare | To look at two or more things to see how they are alike or different. |
Ask a quick question such as, 'What is your favorite pet?' Model how answers can be collected as data.
Students answer orally and notice that the class responses can be counted and organized.
Explain that computers use data to help us learn about patterns. Show a simple tally chart and demonstrate how each response is recorded with one tally mark.
Students watch, repeat the idea of tally marks, and help count the class responses.
Conduct a short survey with one question, such as favorite fruit or after-school activity. Record responses together in a tally chart.
Students answer the survey question and help add tally marks to the chart.
Convert the tally chart into a simple bar graph or show a prepared graph. Model how to read the bars and compare the categories.
Students point to the tallest and shortest bars and answer simple questions aloud.
Ask students to state one fact from the graph and one comparison, such as which category has more or fewer.
Students share one observation with a partner or the class.
Review that data helps us understand information, tally charts help us count it, and bar graphs help us see it quickly. End by asking students to name one thing they learned from the class data.
At home, ask a family member one survey question you choose, such as favorite snack or pet. Record the answers with tally marks and bring your results to class.